CITY OF SAN FERNANDO, Pampanga (PIA) – Sellers and consumers expressed their gratitude to the national government during the nationwide launching of the KADIWA ng Pangulo (KNP) in the City of San Fernando in Pampanga on July 17.

Thirty-eight-year-old fruits and vegetables seller Cindy Soriano thanked President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. for expanding the KNP and making the sellers known to the buyers.

“We are very overwhelmed because we were chosen to join the KADIWA. This is also an opportunity for us to offer high quality and cheaper products to our fellows,” she said.

She added that the present administration’s initiative on the KNP enabled the sellers to offer their fresh harvest in strategic places and therefore increased their sales.

Meanwhile, 58-year-old buyer Leonila Zamora emphasized that she enjoyed buying in the KNP caravan given that products are sold almost half of their prices lower than the markets.

“During these times, I have to work harder and look for additional sources of income to feed my family of five. We sometimes even have to work at night just to add something in our income. The lower prices of these products can really ease the burdens of mother like me,” she stated.

In the caravan, rice is being sold for 25 pesos compared to their market price of 45 pesos while sugar can be bought for 70 pesos per kilo from 90 pesos per kilo.

Consumers can also buy red onions for as low as 130 pesos per kilo from its market price of 300 pesos per kilo, and lettuce for 40 pesos per cup instead of 90 pesos.

In his message during the event, Marcos underscored that the KNP aims to make fresh agricultural and fishery commodities accessible at affordable prices to consumers.

“The Kadiwa program is very simple. What we do is we bring the market closer to our farmers. This is why we lessen the added cost from the middlemen. In this way, we will be able to sell our products in lower prices,” he said.

He added that it is geared to establish additional markets for farmers, fisherfolks and micro enterprises to sell their products.

He also witnessed the signing of Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) of various agencies in the expansion of KNP in all cities and municipalities nationwide.

Signatories were the Department of the Interior and Local Government, Department of Agriculture (DA), Department of Trade and Industry (DTI), Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE), Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD), Presidential Communications Office, and Presidential Management Staff.

“This [MOA] is one example on how, when we help each other, not only the various agencies of the national government but with our local governments, we will be successful in our plans, and in the programs that we design," he pressed.

There are 342 KADIWA outlets nationwide, as of June 16.

Moreover, Marcos led the distribution of various assistance from Kadiwa partner national government agencies.

The DA handed out a total of Php13.2 million to the beneficiaries of its enhanced KADIWA Financial Grant which intends to help farmers and fisherfolk and effectively improving the food distribution system nationwide.

The DOLE granted Php1.38 million worth of financial assistance under its Tulong Panghanapbuhay sa Ating Disadvantaged/Displaced Workers program; Php611,000 worth of stipend under its Government Internship Program; and Php30,000 worth of Negosyo sa Kariton.

It likewise provided Php1.2 million, and Php1 million worth of livelihood assistance to the municipalities of Minalin and San Simon, respectively.

Meanwhile, DSWD released a total of Php1.5 million and family food packs under its Assistance to Individuals in Crisis Situations program; and Php180,00 as part of its Sustainable Livelihood Program.

Furthermore, DTI distributed a total of Php190,400 to 26 beneficiaries of its Pangkabuhayan sa Pagbangon at Ginhawa program; and Php6.35 million under its micro multipurpose loans.

Lastly, Technical Education and Skills Development Authority provided a total of Php68,000 to 26 trainees taking up its Shielded Metal Arc Welding NC I course and Php91,350 to 18 trainees under its Organic Agriculture Production NC II program.(CLJD/JLDC-PIA 3)